Decatur County Schools

❄️ Weather Closure Update ❄️ Due to the significant snowfall and freezing temperatures, Decatur County Schools will be closed on Thursday, February 20th, and Friday, February 21st. We want everyone to stay safe and warm and allow parents time to make necessary arrangements for their children. Thank everyone for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, February 24th! Stay safe! ⛄️

📢 Weather Closure Announcement ❄️ On Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter—you all hoped he was joking! 🌨️ But with the forecast calling for accumulating snow and extreme cold temperatures, Decatur County Schools will be closed on Wednesday, February 19th. We will provide another update tomorrow regarding conditions and any further closures. Thank you for your understanding and patience. Stay safe and warm! 🧤☃️

📢 Celebrating Our Amazing SRO Officers! 🚔💙 Decatur County Schools is proud to recognize and honor our incredible School Resource Officers on this School Resource Officer Appreciation Day! 🎉 These dedicated officers go above and beyond every single day to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and school communities. From building positive relationships with students to providing security and guidance, their impact is truly immeasurable. Today, and every day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your commitment, courage, and the care you show to our schools. Your presence brings peace of mind to parents, teachers, and students alike. Thank you for your service, your dedication, and for being such an integral part of our school family! If you see an SRO today, be sure to give them a big thank you! 👏👏👏 #SROAppreciationDay #ThankYouSROs #DecaturCountySchools #SchoolSafety

HIRING: Middle School Interventionist-Grades 5-8 The Decatur County School System is seeking applicants for a Middle School Grades 5-8 Interventionist for the 2025-2026 school year.  Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office or downloaded from www.decaturcountyschools.com under the Employment tab. Only applicants with a current Tennessee teacher license will be considered for the position (A Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction or School Administration is preferred but not required). The primary duties for this position are middle school RTI Coordinator, Universal Screening, Building Testing Coordinator, and Clever Student Management Coordinator and other duties as assigned. Applications should be sent to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, P.O. Box 369, Decaturville, TN 38363 or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org.  The deadline for applying is Friday, February 28, 2025.

Middle School Guidance Counselor Position -Grades 5-8 The Decatur County School System is seeking applicants for a Middle School Guidance Counselor for the 2025-2026 school year.  Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office or downloaded from www.decaturcountyschools.com under the Employment tab. Only applicants with a current Tennessee teacher license with an endorsement in School Counseling PreK-12 (Endorsement 487) will be considered for the position. Applications should be sent to Hugh Smith, Human Resources Supervisor at Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN, or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org.  The deadline for applying is Friday, February 28, 2025.

REMINDER:

Decatur County Board of Education Meeting Thursday, February 13, 2025 Public input begins at 6:00 p.m. and meeting at 6:15 p.m.

🎉 Exciting News: TVA Grants Awarded to Decatur County Educators! 🎉 Writing grants is no easy task—it takes time, effort, and a lot of patience. The process is highly competitive, and even after all the hard work, there’s no guarantee of success. That’s why we are beyond proud to announce that two of our incredible Decatur County educators have been awarded TVA Grants to bring new and exciting learning opportunities to their students! 🔬 Mr. Jordan Jones, Chemistry teacher at Riverside High School, has been awarded $5,000 to refurbish and supply the Biology/Chemistry lab. This funding will allow him to update equipment, purchase new lab materials, and enhance hands-on experiments, providing students with engaging, real-world science experiences. Mr. Jones is a dedicated educator whose passion for science education is truly making a difference at RHS. 🌿 Ms. Jill Farlow, STEM teacher at Decatur County Middle School, has been awarded $3,500 to conduct a stream study with her students. This project will give students the opportunity to explore ecosystems, analyze and monitor water quality, and engage in scientific research outside the classroom. Ms. Farlow consistently finds creative ways to connect classroom learning to real-world applications, fostering curiosity and critical thinking in her students. These grants will have a lasting impact on students by enhancing their hands-on learning experiences and encouraging deeper exploration of STEM subjects. We are incredibly grateful for educators like Mr. Jones and Ms. Farlow, who continuously go above and beyond for their students and our schools. 👏 Congratulations to both of these outstanding educators! 👏 #TVAGrantWinners #STEMEducation #HandsOnLearning #DecaturCountySchools #ThankYouEducators #ScienceInAction

🌟 Happy National School Counselor’s Week! 🌟 Decatur County Schools would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our incredible school counselors who work tirelessly to support our students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. Whether they are providing guidance, offering a listening ear, helping students navigate challenges, or encouraging them to reach their fullest potential, their impact is truly immeasurable. Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and commitment to our students, staff, and families. Your work makes a difference every single day! 💙📚✨ Join us in showing appreciation for our amazing counselors this week! #SchoolCounselorsWeek #ThankYouCounselors #DecaturCountySchools #MakingADifference

The Decatur County School System is seeking applicants for an Agriculture Teacher. Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office or downloaded from www.decaturcountyschools.com under the Employment tab. Only applicants with a current Tennessee teacher license with an endorsement in Agriculture Education will be considered for the position. Applications should be sent to Hugh Smith, Personnel Supervisor, Decatur County Board of Education, 59 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org. The deadline for submitting an application is February 15, 2025.

The Decatur County School System is seeking applicants for the position of Decatur County Middle School Cheerleading Coach. Applicants should submit an application and/or detailed resume that includes previous employment and related Cheerleading coaching experience. A Tennessee Teaching License is preferred, but not required to be considered for the position. Applications may be downloaded at www.decaturcountyschools.com or picked up at the Board of Education at 59 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN 38329. Applications/resumes should be sent to Hugh Smith, Human Resources Supervisor, or emailed to hugh.smith@decaturschools.org. The deadline for submission is Friday, February 14, 2025.

February Breakfast & Lunch menus for DCMS / DES / PES

February Breakfast & Lunch menus for RHS

JOIN OUR TEAM: The Decatur County School System is seeking applications for a Substitute School Nurse. Applicants must have an Active LPN or RN license with experience in Pediatric Nursing preferred. Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office, 59 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN 38329 or downloaded from www.decaturcountyschools.com under the Employment tab, Noncertified Application, and should be sent to Hugh Smith, Human Resources Supervisor at hugh.smith@decaturschools.org. The deadline for applying is Friday, January 31, 2025.

Decatur County Schools will celebrate Valentine's Day on Wednesday, February 12th.

In May of this year, the Decatur County School System recognized the need to offer a virtual school in our district. In August, the Decatur County Virtual Academy opened its doors to students. Beginning with 27 students in August, the Academy currently has 67 full-time students. With this additional school, Decatur County Schools continuously works to meet students' needs. To close out the first semester, tonight we celebrated three students who graduated from high school in December. While they will receive their official diplomas in May, we did not want to wait to share in this tremendous accomplishment. Graduating tonight are Cholena Miller, Cole Miller, and Shannon Wood. These three students completed every course required to graduate. We are very proud of them and wish them good luck in their future endeavors. Thank you to Director of Schools Chris Villaflor, DCVA principal Mark Mathis, and guest speaker Dr. Tammie Todd Patterson for sharing with our students tonight. A thank you also to Bear Creek Baptist Church for allowing us to use its facilities to celebrate the accomplishments of these fine young men and women. Congratulations to the 1st DCVA graduating class.

Attention Decatur County Schools Community: All Decatur County Schools, including afterschool programs, will be closed on Wednesday, January 22nd. Due to severe cold temperatures and heating issues within some of our schools, we believe this closure is necessary to ensure our students and staff's comfort and safety. Thank you for your understanding and support. Stay safe and warm!

.Reminder: Label Your Child’s Winter Gear Over the weekend, please take a moment to write your child’s name on all coats and winter apparel they may wear to school. Items such as jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves often get misplaced throughout the day. Labeling these items will help us quickly identify and return them to their rightful owner. Otherwise, unclaimed items may end up in the lost and found or accidentally taken home by another student. Thank you for helping us keep track of everyone’s belongings and ensuring they stay warm this winter!

K-3 Home Library Opt-Out Template Our school was invited to participate in Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation’s K-3 Home Library program this summer. Through this program, all rising 1st-3rd grade students in our school district are being given the opportunity to receive six high-quality books and activity pages, delivered to their homes this summer at no cost to families. By completing the process below, you are opting your child out of participating in the K-3 Home Library program in Summer 2025. This means your child will not receive six high-quality books and activity pages, delivered to your home this summer. Decatur County School System If you choose NOT to participate, call (731) 852-2391. Please leave your name, your child’s name, and your child’s school. Taking this step will ensure your child will NOT receive the books. In order to opt out, you must call and do so by 4:00 CDT on Friday, January 24, 2025. After that time, we will not be able to remove your child from the recipient list.

ParaProfessional-Teacher Assistant-DCMS The Decatur County School System is seeking applications for a Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistant) position at Decatur County Middle School. - Applicants must be 21 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Prior to employment, the applicant selected must verify 2 years of college or pass the Parapro Assessment. - Applicants must also successfully pass a TBI Fingerprint Background check as well as a physical by a Licensed Physician. - Applications may be picked up at the Board of Education Office or downloaded from www.decaturcountyschools.com under the Employment tab, Noncertified Application, and sent to Hugh Smith, Human Resources Supervisor, at Decatur County Board of Education, P.O. Box 369, 59 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN 38329 or emailed to: hugh.smith@decaturschools.org. - The deadline for submitting an application is Wednesday, January 22, 2025.